Admirals Shoot Past Monarchs 5-3

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Adam Hall’s go-ahead goal with 3:01 left in regulation was one of his team’s 49 shots on goal as the Norfolk Admirals (19-23-2-0) defeated the Atlantic Division-leading Manchester Monarchs (26-14-2-4) 5-3 on Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Radek Smolenak had two goals and an assist while Mitch Fadden turned in his second straight two point performance with a goal and an assist.

The Admirals will look for their third straight win to kick off a seven-game road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Lowell Devils. They return to Scope on Wednesday, February 3 to face the Hershey Bears.

The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead just 3:42 into the game. Tom Cavanagh prevented an Admirals clearing attempt from exiting the Norfolk zone and sent a pass to Bud Holloway in the low slot. Holloway quickly sent a pass across the crease to Gabe Gauthier for a back-door tap-in.

Despite the Gauthier goal, the Admirals controlled most of the first period, out-shooting the Monarchs 16-9. It was the sixteenth shot of the frame that knotted the score at one goal apiece. Ryan Craig swooped down the left wing and went behind the net, emerging at the opposite post for a wraparound shot. He found his own rebound in the right circle and again sent it on net. This time, the rebound dropped into the crease and Radek Smolenak was able to punch it into the net for his sixth goal of the season at 19:08.

The Admirals took the lead with Mitch Fadden’s first professional goal on the power play 3:32 into the second period. Ty Wishart sent a pass from the top of the left circle to Fadden in the high slot. The rookie center sent a wrist shot through traffic that eluded Manchester goaltender Jeff Zatkoff to give Norfolk a 2-1 lead.

Fadden helped the visitors to double their lead less than three minutes. This time, Fadden fed Kevin Quick in the high slot for a one-timer that bounced off Zatkoff into the crease. Matt Fornataro was stationed at the bottom of the right circle and was able to extend his stick just long enough to poke the rebound into the net at 6:05.

The Monarchs closed their gap to one goal late in the second period. Richard Clune sent a feed from the left corner to Corey Elkins in the left circle for a one-timer that Norfolk netminder Jaroslav Janus blocked. However, Geoff Walker found the rebound and was able to shovel it into the net at 17:25 to cut the Admirals’ advantage to 3-2.

Manchester knotted the score at three goals apiece midway through the final frame. Kevin Westgarth found the puck in the left corner and appeared to be headed behind the net. However, he took one step over the goal line as if he were headed into the left circle and was able to backhand a shot between the legs of Janus and into the net at 10:13 to tie the game.

The Admirals remain undeterred, however, pumping 16 shots on net in the third period and re-claiming the lead for good with 3:01 left in regulation. Smolenak cut across the left circle into the slot before throwing a backhand shot on net. Adam Hall found the rebound in the crease and swiped the puck over the goal line for his ninth goal of the season.

Smolenak cemented the Norfolk victory with his second goal of the night into the empty net with 42 seconds remaining as the visitors claimed a 5-3 win.

Jaroslav Janus (20 shots, 17 saves) picked up his second win in as many nights. Jeff Zatkoff (48 shots, 44 saves) took the loss.

Norfolk was 1-4 on the power play. The Admirals did not allow the Monarchs a power play in the game.

The Admirals will continue their seven-game road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Lowell Devils. The puck drops at 4:00 p.m. All games are broadcast on STAR 1310-AM, star1310.com and ahllive.com.

The Admirals will return to Norfolk Scope Arena to kick off a six-game homestand on Wednesday, February 3 against the Hershey Bears.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don’t miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

NOTES … The Admirals claimed the season series from the Monarchs with three wins (one in a shootout) and one loss … Norfolk tied a season high with 49 shots in the game and has out-shot its opponents 85-39 through two legs of this seven-game road trip … The Admirals did not allow Manchester a power play in the game. Norfolk’s five penalty minutes in the game came on team captain Ryan Craig's second period fighting major … The line of Mark Parrish (1G, 2A), Mitch Fadden (1G, 3A) and Matt Fornataro (2G, 1A) has combined for ten points in the last two games … Fadden recorded his first pro goal in the second period and added an assist on Matt Fornataro’s goal for his second straight two-point game. This came after being held scoreless in his first 15 professional games … Parrish (2G, 4A) has points in five straight games … Radek Smolenak recorded his first multiple goal game of the season and tied a career high with three points (2G, 1A) … Jim Johnson improved to 2-0-0-0 as Norfolk’s head coach … Attendance: 7,745.